Across the country, there are countless Walmart workers who are paid poverty wages, cannot get enough hours, and have erratic work schedules that make it difficult to survive. Worse yet, as the National Labor Relations Board confirmed last week, Walmart has systematically and illegally retaliated against workers who have had the courage to stand up to improve working conditions.

We stand with the courageous Walmart workers who are demanding better wages and an end to illegal retaliation. Walmart, the largest private employer in the United States, has a responsibility to their employees and our country to respect workers and their rights. No one should have to fear losing their jobs just for speaking up.

With as many as 825,000 Walmart workers making less than $25,000 a year and a single Walmart store costing taxpayers nearly $1 million in public assistance, the need for change is clear. Taxpayers should not have to pick up the tab because Walmart refuses to pay workers a living wage.

This holiday season we are proud to stand with the Walmart workers and their supporters who are protesting and calling on the company to do better. It is time that Walmart pays its workers a fair wage and stops trampling on their rights.

Republicans hate the ACA because it addresses the inequality of access to healthcare in this country. The reason why they think health care reform is socialism is because it gives millions of people on the bottom access to something that those at the top already enjoy.